1973

Ray Conniff His Orchestra & Chorus

Ray Conniff His Orchestra & Chorus

Sleeve Notes:

Ray Conniff was the name that used to provide the musical backing for people like Johnny Mathis, Guy Mitchell, Johnny Ray and Frankie Laine. With these names he scored million selling records and achieved a unique place as someone who knew how to provide the essential and successful backing to a hit record.

Then, in the mid-fifties, Ray Conniff went his own way; successfully, as it turned out, with a series of albums based on the very simple but entertaining principle that certain ranges of voices could combine with the right instruments in enhancing a good song. Thus was born the “Conniff sound” – one that has to date sold over twenty-five million albums.

All of which is quite an achievement for a man whose musical beginnings were in a school band in Massachusetts, where he played trombone. Even at this stage Ray was dabbling in arranging and after he moved to Boston, then to New York, his talent began to develop. He worked with the big bands of the day, Buddy Berigan, Bob Crosby and Artie Shaw and from that groundwork moved into the field of arranging.

The ‘Conniff Sound’ evolved during the mid-fifties and Ray has always chosen with great care the songs that give his singers and musicians the necessary ingredients to bring off that incredible formula.

This album, containing as it does some of the most enduring titles of the popular musical scene, shows that wherever it is applied, the ‘Conniff Sound’ makes very entertaining listening.

Ray Conniff His Orchestra & Chorus

Label: Hallmark SHM 807

1973 1970s Covers

Stereo A La Carte 6 - Various Artists

Stereo A La Carte 6 – Various Artists

Sleeve Notes:

Einen weiteren interessanten Einblick in the – Phase 4 Stereo – Serie vermitteln lhnen al.., the weiteren Emfuhrungsplatten -Stereo a la carte 1-5″, the Ihr Schallplattenhandler ebentalls zu einem Vorzugspreis fur the bereithalt.

Another interesting insight into the Phase 4 stereo series is provided by all of the others (in the series), the “Stereo a la carte 1-5” recordings, which are available at a preferential price from your record dealer.

Stereo A La Carte 6 - Various Artists

Label: Decca S 16906-P

1973 1970s Covers

The Waikikis - Song of the Islands

The Waikikis – Song of the Islands

Sleeve Notes:

In direct contrast to the frantic, frenzied, frenetic pop music of the Western World, the haunting, romantic, nostalgic music of Hawaii evokes visions of Sunshine, Surf and Sea.
In both musical styles the guitar is the chief instrument, but to what different ends! On the one hand we have beat, aggressive rhythm and a brash yet not unattractive harshness; on the other, a gentler, soothing, melodic sound with a subtle hint of sadness.
There is an indefinable something about Hawaiian music that reaches to the very heart; and the Waikikis – exponents of Hawaiian music in excelsis – take the basic melodies, smooth them, polish them, add their own inimitable orchestrations and then play their hearts out to reach right into your heart.
On this album you will hear some of the most popular Hawaiian melodies played by the Waikikis – and that is hearing Hawaiian music in its superlative best. Just settle in your armchair and let the Waikikis waft you away to blue tropical skies and a dream world of peace and contentment.

The Waikikis - Song of the Islands

Label: Hallmark HMA 248

1973 1970s Covers

Top of the Pops Vol. 35

Top of the Pops Vol. 35

Sleeve Notes:

We think we’ve created a record in both senses of the word. Not only have we created the best-selling budget record of its kind in the world, but we believe that our “Top of the Pops” series (this album is No. 35) is the longest lived in the whole history of recording – and we’re still going strong!

This sort of thing just doesn’t happen by luck. It takes dedication, hard work and expertise – plus a little bit of luck – on our part; and judgement, discrimination, appreciation of good pop sounds and value for money on the part of all of you many, many thousands of pop enthusiasts who have helped us to create this unique record.

So, fans and friends, here it is, No. 35. Just glance at the 12 great songs we’ve chosen for you this time and we think you’ll agree that our back-room boys have done their homework; in fact, so important is the choice of tracks, that the Boss Man himself takes a lively and considerable part in this side of our business.

Have fun, folks!

Top of the Pops Vol. 35

Label: Hallmark SHM 845

1973 1970s Covers Top of the Pops Collection

Top of the Pops Vol. 34

Top of the Pops Vol. 34

Sleeve Notes:

This is No. 34

What, you may ask, is so special about No. 34?

Well, nothing really, except that this is the 34th issue of “Top of the Pops”, the best-selling album of its kind in the World; and it’s the thirty-fourth time in 6 years that all our top brass (including The Boss Man) get into a huddle weeks and weeks before the album is produced to try to select the 12 pop titles that YOU, the experts and the enthusiasts, will want to hear when the L.P. is actually released – perhaps a month later.

Believe me, folks, it’s hard labour, but it’s also a labour of love; and on each of 33 occasions your response has been so heartwarming, so terrific, so gratifying, that we know it has all been worthwhile.

So, friends, here it is. You’ve given us grey hairs trying to produce for you the best L.P. in the World for pop fans – but we love you all! 

Top of the Pops Vol. 34

Label: Hallmark SHM 840

1973 1970s Covers Top of the Pops Collection

Top of the Pops Vol. 30

Top of the Pops Vol. 30

Sleeve Notes:

So we’re coming up to our 5th anniversary.

Fifth anniversary of what? You may well ask. Well, just about five years ago we unleashed our first “Top of the Pops” on an unsuspecting public and – we’re happy to say – history was made.

Thanks to you good folk who appreciate good Pop music at a reasonable price, that historic volume 1 of “Top of the Pops” was a smash hit and so were all the subsequent volumes.

What’s more we’ve had four Number Ones in the L.P. charts and this of course means we outsold all the biggest international names in Show Business with those runaway best-sellers. Knowledgeable pop fans don’t consistently buy a series of albums on such an enormous scale unless they are well and truly satisfied, so here we are with this, our 30th volume.

Just look at the 12 fabulous tracks we’ve chosen for you! We’re the market leaders in our field because we’re not here to make a fast buck. We’re here for good; to satisfy a genuine requirement of pop people all over the world.

So get moving to these tunes, have fun and let’s all make a little more history by making volume 30 the biggest hit of the decade.

“TOP OF THE POPS” is consistently Britain’s best-selling L.P. record.

Top of the Pops Vol. 30

Label: Hallmark SHM 820

1972 1970s Covers Top of the Pops Collection